Friday, December 7, 2007

Minnesota is smoke-free. Illinois will be smoke-free January 1, 2008. On Wednesday, December 5 the Michigan House moved one step closer to the state becoming smoke-free by passing a smoke-free bill that covers bars and restaurants. Wisconsin continues to drag its feet on this important issue and I am beginning to wonder exactly who our elected officials are representing on this matter. Wisconsinites want a healthy state. Wisconsinites want a level playing field for all bars and restaurants. Wisconsinites are used to being leaders in the Midwest. Wisconsin should be a great place to visit and a great place to raise a family, but the longer we wait to pass a smoke-free air bill the more detrimental it is to our positive image. If the Michigan House can pass a smoke-free bill, what are we waiting for? It's time for our lawmakers to represent the people of Wisconsin and vote for SB 150.

5 comments:

I think that Wisconsin is being a frontrunner by not mandating a smoking ban. This is supposed to be a free country and if a business owner wants to allow smoking in his business they should be allowed to. If a consumer doesn't like it they don't have to patronize the establishment. It is simple economics; If there was a demand for smoke free bars from consumers, there would be smoke free bars.

I wouldn't call our inaction on this issue leadership by any means. Businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, are regulated by many policies that help ensure public safety. Mandatory cooking temperatures, capacity limits, and requiring employees to wash their hands after using the bathroom are just a few examples of policies that are working right now.

Yes this is a free country! Do I not have the FREEDOM to breathe smoke free air?? Why do I have to breathe smokey air when I go into every bar/tavern or resturaunt that I go into to have fun? or to enjoy a nice meal? Is that freedom? I dont think so!!! Every Bar is a smoking bar, so where do people who dont want to smell like smoke or have smoke in their lungs go? "Anonymous" must be smoker and probably does not care if people are dying from Cancer and smoking being a major contributor!!!

I just got back from Florida over the Xmas weekend. Yes..I was so happy to be able to sit by the bar area with my kid and family and be able to watch the Football game...and NO SMOKING is permitted. I personally think that sport bars/taverns would attract the non smokers if they only give it a chance.